Chapter 117: Chapter 117: When the Sun’s Brilliance Begins to Fade
Chapter 117: When the Sun's Brilliance Begins to Fade
At the headquarters of the Rose School, within a dense forest, a massive black tree with vines spreading in all directions completely enveloped a small hill.
Countless face-like fruits adorned the trunk, their eyes now open, gazing eagerly and desirously upward toward the treetop.
An unknown time ago, a platinum star had appeared there, as large as a house, radiating silver-white light. This light, falling on every corner of the black tree, promoted its further growth.
Sunlight is the best nourishment for plants.
Around the black tree, circles of devout followers knelt in worship, offering their faith and lives to the presence before them.
That night, a divine oracle descended, and a star streaked across the sky, hanging atop the tree unnoticed.
The deity told them that this was a star of life that could bring prosperity, yet it was also a star of war that could bring destruction.
It seemed that overnight, they had gained two deities.
As the followers worshipped fervently, the distant space trembled slightly, and the divine being divine scourge sia, dragging his maimed body, appeared.
His appearance was wretched, his right arm severed, the wound charred, and dark viscous fluid, like blood, flowed from the stump. Blood-red eyes on his body occasionally burst open.
Maggots gathered at the stump, seemingly licking the wound and attempting to reattach the severed limb.
divine scourge sia, trailing black viscous fluid, approached the black tree, allowing the vines to bind him and pull him to the center of the trunk.
Above, the platinum star showered down beams of light, enveloping divine scourge sia completely.
His body began to grow rapidly, and with rhythmic breathing, flesh writhed at the stump, quickly forming a new arm.
divine scourge sia opened his eyes to the star, as if looking at a sun, its dazzling light forcing him to glance only briefly before withdrawing his gaze, remaining still.
As night gave way to day, and the first rays of sunlight burst through the sky, the platinum star hanging from the black tree shone brightly, absorbing the light from the orange-yellow sun above.
divine scourge sia couldn't see what was happening, but he felt the sun in the sky weakening, while the platinum star before him grew stronger.
It was preparing to become the next sun hanging in the sky.
divine scourge sia closed his eyes, allowing the silver-white light to nourish him.
The sun hung in the sky, promoting the growth and prosperity of all things, and he, too, was a part of this world.
…
In the Intis Republic, today, the clouds above the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun's headquarters were scattered, leaving only a radiant sun casting endless light.
Sunlight passed through the colored glass, breaking into a rainbow of colors that fell upon the main hall, onto a golden crown.
The crown was inlaid with various gems, the largest being a colorless, transparent stone capable of reflecting more colors of light.
Below the golden crown stood an elderly man in a magnificent robe, the collar and hem interwoven with white and gold threads into small suns.
His hair was golden, the same color as the sun.
He was the Pope of the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun.
Behind him, on the steps, stood six devout archbishops.
Aside from those who needed to guard churches elsewhere and couldn't return, the other archbishops arrived the day after receiving the order.
This was the place to hear the divine oracle.
"My brethren, I have received the oracle. The gods say that for all the filthy and decaying heretical churches, we shall burn them with flames and pierce their chests with our swords."
"And for those blasphemers who dare to steal the authority of the gods, death is the most fitting end for them."
"The gods have hinted that the enemy is in the South Continent, in that chaotic and disorderly place."
"Go forth, with the blessings of the gods and your loyalty to them, to annihilate all enemies and bring victory to the gods!"
The Pope's voice grew more impassioned, drawing on the power of the golden crown, transforming into golden rays that bathed the six bishops in divine grace.
"Praise the sun!"
After the six archbishops departed, the Pope ascended the steps, extended his hands, and placed the golden crown upon his head.
The golden light flickered, and the aged Pope gradually regained his youth within the holy light, his wrinkled face becoming full and plump.
When the golden light dissipated, the aged Pope was no longer visible, replaced by a kind-faced, well-proportioned young man in his early twenties.
He wore a white robe, barefoot, with the crown turned into a golden ribbon, wrapping his striking golden hair.
"Praise the sun."
With a single praise, he stepped out of the main hall, leaving the sacred temple he had guarded for decades.
…
In Beckland, at night, Hastur sat at his desk, reviewing the business plan for the factory's subsequent activities sent by Manager Halle.
He picked up a pen, made some edits to the unreasonable parts, and added his own suggestions.
After finishing, he handed the plan to Butler Neil to be delivered to Manager Halle.
Around 11:30 PM, after bathing, Hastur went to bed to rest.
He had inspected the Hall of Stars earlier and found nothing unusual, so he left.
As he drifted into sleep, the wind chime hanging in his study swayed gently.
In his dream, Will suddenly appeared.
"Ulorus has come to Beckland. If you have no urgent matters, don't wander outside. Although he's not very clever, he doesn't like to talk or preach. If you really face him, you'll be in trouble."
Hastur was surprised, "Why would he come to Beckland?"
"Because the aura of fate here is too strong. He must have sensed the unusual fate here and made a special trip."
"Can you lead him away?"
"It will take some time, so I came to remind you to be careful recently."
"Okay."
Hastur nodded, then thought for a moment, "Is there a way to conceal the fate here? Otherwise, beings related to fate always come, and I always encounter them."
One Bernadette was already troublesome enough, and now a Mercury Serpent had come. He couldn't leave Beckland, making life unbearable.
"The solution is within you."
"Within me?"
"Don't underestimate yourself."
After speaking, Will took a few steps, hesitated, then whispered, "Don't let anyone send ice cream recently. After that stupid snake leaves Beckland, remember to compensate me double."
"Okay."
With Hastur's promise, Will waved his hand and disappeared from Hastur's dream.
Disturbed by Will, Hastur lost his sleepiness.
He returned to the Hall of Stars and summoned the third chain of order.
Will had said the solution to the problem was within himself, and Hastur wondered if it had to do with the chain of order.
Perhaps he could establish a new rule to avoid these disturbances of fate.
But he had already established a rule about fate last time. Would it be a waste to establish a second one?
Hastur thought for a moment, then summoned the chain of order related to fate.
He tried to see if he could modify the previously established rule. If possible, he could keep the third chain of order.
When he expressed his wish, the second chain of order trembled slightly, and enlightenment emerged from deep within him.
The gist was: The main part is set; only minor additions or deletions to the rules are allowed, not a complete overturning of previous rules.
"Only minor additions or deletions… seems to be enough."
Hastur thought and added a sentence to the original statement.
The hermit of fate always manages to avoid coincidences and accidents drawn by fate.
This sentence should help avoid his fate intersecting with others', making it easier to evade beings like Bernadette and Ulorus.
The modified rule was created, and Hastur felt nothing special.
He dismissed the second chain of order and looked at the third chain, which had not yet established a new rule.
Originally, he wanted to keep it for emergencies, but now it seemed he needed new powers to protect himself.
When establishing the first rule, he had created a general guideline for himself.
The second rule was about fate, giving him some control over the paths of fate.
What aspect should the third chain of order cover?
The extraordinary path of the everNight Goddess? Her secret authority, whether for protecting himself or scheming against enemies, was very useful.
The Redeemed Rose, the everNight Goddess, became the second key figure in the plan by relying on her secret authority.
An authority that even ancient sun gods could hardly probe.
But how to establish a rule involving the secret authority?
Hastur fell into deep thought.
(End of Chapter)
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